NBA news: Shaq has a message for Charles Barkley after being named an honorary FBI agent appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has spent his post-playing career collecting titles far outside basketball, and on Thursday he added one more. FBI Director Kash Patel named the Hall of Famer an honorary FBI Special Agent during the graduation ceremony for Session 299 of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
O’Neal appeared alongside 265 law enforcement officials from around the country, and he wasted no time putting the new credential to comedic use. Wrapping up his remarks to the graduating class, O’Neal turned his attention to his longtime Inside the NBA co-host.
“If you see Charles Barkley, arrest him,” O’Neal said, drawing laughter from the room.
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Shaq has been named an honorary FBI Special Agent by director Kash Patel, and of course, he mentioned Charles Barkley in his speech.
“If you see Charles Barkley, arrest him.” 😭 pic.twitter.com/FQqeHqmhHA
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 18, 2026
The rest of his speech was more sincere. “Some of you will go back to your regular jobs, some of you will go to specialized training. Some of you will go do what I do, be undercover,” O’Neal said. “But I just want to say I appreciate you guys so much. Congratulations. I’m not here for this, I’m here for you.”
Patel announced the honor on social media, describing O’Neal as one of the best supporters of law enforcement in the country and noting that the session was historic for other reasons as well, including the first time an Academy class has included two FBI special agents.
The title is ceremonial. O’Neal did not complete the 10-week curriculum required of actual graduates, and the distinction grants him no investigative authority or sworn status.
Even so, his connection to policing is genuine and stretches back decades. O’Neal went through the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Reserve Academy during his Lakers years and became a reserve officer with the Los Angeles Port Police. He trained as a Miami Beach reserve officer after being traded to the Heat, was named an honorary U.S. Deputy Marshal in 2005, and later served as a spokesperson for the Safe Surfin’ Foundation. His father was a drill sergeant, which he has cited as the root of the interest.
As for Barkley, he remains at large. The two have worked together since 2011, and their needling has long been the show’s signature.
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